How AI is Reshaping the Optical Industry

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly popular recently, and there are varying degrees of adoption and enthusiasm. Placing trust in machine-generated outputs can feel daunting, but the advantages make it a compelling ally. At its core, AI has the potential to provide efficiencies, offer solutions, provide a better customer experience, and ignite creativity. 

The scope of AI applications for optical businesses is vast, ranging from basic uses such as digital marketing and job postings, all the way to AI-assisted ocular diagnoses. Here are some of the key areas in how AI is impacting optical:

The Appeal of Virtual Try-On
Since the pandemic, virtual try-on has exploded onto the scene with technology that is updated annually. Currently, the best providers are able to map a user’s face and proportions to generate everything from a complete 3D scan of all angles, PD measurements, and seg heights. This allows the customer to look at a frame on their face, from all angles, that is proportionate to their measurements. This form of AI is expensive, but it can help you sell. 

A study conducted by Vision Monday said that eyewear practices that implemented virtual try-on technology experienced a 25% increase in conversions compared to those that did not. Additionally, those offering virtual try-on can expect lower return rates, improved brand engagement, and reduced marketing expenses.

While virtual try-on is a natural fit for online shopping, there are options for those that prefer not to offer an e-commerce platform. Imagine offering virtual try-on in-store to help create the “endless aisle effect.”  Your patients can try on any frame in your vendor’s catalog without you having to stock it. Another idea is to scan the client’s face at the beginning of the eye exam process, and then have a curated assortment of frames that perfectly fit their face when their eye exam is complete. Think of it as an AI-generated frame catalog customized for your patients that helps to differentiate your business.

New Advancements in Eye Care
In its support of clinical decisions, AI can improve diagnostic accuracy, streamline workflows, and help providers deliver more efficient and effective care. AI-Assisted diagnoses systems are helping optometrists detect eye diseases such as dry eye, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy at faster speeds and with a less intrusive exam. Eyenuk provides automated diabetic retinopathy screening without the need for eye dilation and creates a report within 60 seconds. This has led to an increase in successful referrals for at-risk patients while also reducing exam times. CSI Dry Eye Software helps optometrists pinpoint the root causes of dry eye disease more accurately and provide a better treatment plan. This makes the practice more efficient and provides for  a better customer experience and treatment journey. AI is also being used to assist in ocular imaging, providing insights into the retina and other eye structures, in addition to providing early predictions of glaucoma and macular degeneration. 

Telemedicine
Covid accelerated the need for virtual eye exams, which has become increasingly popular in rural areas, for patients who have mobility issues, or for doctors that want to add an extra service to their offerings. The patient experience can be very similar to in-person visits – patients check-in online and go to a pre-testing room where a technician captures images and takes measurements. Then, the patient goes into the exam room to meet with the doctor. After the visit, the doctor can turn it back over to the staff for support in eyewear, contact lens fittings, or additional tests.

Expediting Marketing and Operations
Have you heard the term “I Chat GPT’d it?” It is used so frequently that Chat GPT has become a verb in colloquial terms – much like Google. 

To zero in on digital marketing, ChatGPT can help create a complete social media marketing calendar on what to post, complete with captions and hashtags. Whether you use all its capabilities or just a few ideas, it can help jumpstart the creative process and streamline your marketing efforts. You can also ask ChatGPT to help create ideas for your blog posts or help with demographics for ad usage with Meta. 

AI doesn’t stop there, though. You can also use it to help with operations for your business. Need a job description for LinkedIn? An operations manual? No problem! Input a few words and some ideas on what you want, and it will create them all.

Yes, there will likely be tweaks needed on everything, and it is extremely important to factcheck, but it can truly be a time saver, leaving you more time for the endless tasks only a human can accomplish. 

Scheduling
Various AI-powered technologies are revolutionizing practice management areas such as appointment scheduling, inventory management, and clinical decision-making. AI-powered appointment scheduling uses algorithms to analyze data points such as patient preferences, historical booking patterns, and staff availability. This allows optometry practices to optimize provider and patient schedules to efficiently manage appointments, minimize overlaps, and reduce wait times.

As exciting as AI advancements are, it’s important to recognize that adopting AI isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Every practice has unique needs, resources, and priorities. For some, AI might streamline operations and improve patient care; for others, it may not yet align with their goals or capabilities.

The key is to approach AI as a tool, not a cure-all. It should enhance, not replace, the human expertise and connection that define the optical industry. Whether you’re ready to dive in or if you’re taking a wait-and-see approach, the future of AI in eye care offers possibilities worth exploring.